Adding machine



Jan. 29, 1957 R. l.. RICH ADDING MACHINE Filed NOV. 25, 1955 a 42 as f 50 2 Sheets-Sheet l IN V EN TOR.

R. L. RICH ADDING MACHINE `Bam. 29, 1957 2 Sheets-Slmaetl 2 Filed Nov. 25, 1955 BVMW# www United States Patent O ADDING MACHINE Robert L. Rich, Long Beach, Calif. Application November 25, 1955, Serial No. 548,912

10 Claims. (Cl. 23S-78) This invention relates to an adding machine and particularly `to an adding and subtracting mechanism for use by persons in keeping a tally of figures such as expenditures, especially when such expenditures are small and numerous and must be rapidly and accurately memorized and related to a total figure representing the sum of said expenditures. lt is a general object of this invention to provide a small, compact, and easily operated adding mechanism that quickly adds and subtracts and records the sum of gures.

There are many situations and circumstances that require simple adding and subtracting of iigures, such, for example, as the compiling of expenditures or possibly the compiling of other quantities of various kinds. That is, there are situations when it is desirable to budget the handling of expenditures and other quantities in order to keep accurate account of them. A typical example of such a situation is that of shopping within a predetermined budget during which a large number of inexpensive items of varying costs are purchased. A person shopping, however, lcannot be expected to carry along a large complicated device for adding figures, and, therefore, I have provided the adding machine of the present invention which is small, compact, easy to operate, and accurate in its compilations.

An object of this invention is to provide an adding machine that accumulatively adds and/ or subtracts figures or quantities.

It is another object of this invention to provide an adding machine with a control to determine the action of the machine to the end that it either adds or subtracts when operated.

Another object of this invention is to provide a release for a machine of the character above referred to which release when operated acts to allow the mechanism thereof to be reset to a normal zero position.

It is still another object of this invention to provide means for returning the mechanism to the said zero or normal position when it is released.

Further, it is an object of this invention to provide a simple inexpensive mechanism for adding and subtracting, which mechanism is easily manufactured and which iS accurate and reliable in its operation.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of the adding machine that I have provided. Fig. 2 is a reduced perspective view of the machine shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an elevational sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 3 3 on Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a plan sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 4 4 on Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a portion of the machine taken as indicated by line 5 5 on Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailed sectional View of a portion of the mechanism taken as indicated by line 6 6 on Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a partially exploded perspective view of a portion of the mechanism rice of the machine. Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a portion of the structure taken as indicated by line 8 8 on Fig. 4- and showing the mechanism that is illustrated in Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of a portion of the structure taken as indicated by line 9 9 on Fig. 4. Fig. l0 is a view of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings showing said mechanism in a dii'crent operative position. Fig. 11 is a view of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings and showing a part of the mechanism in the unactuated or zero position, and Fig. 12 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 12 12 on Fig. 11.

As shown throughout the drawings, the structure of the present invention may be embodied in a hand operated unit adapted to handle and compile dollar and cent gures or like quantities and may be a simple round substantially y flat device as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

In the preferred form of the invention, the adding machine shown involves generally, a case or frame A, that forms a housing for the mechanism, a cover B for enclosing the mechanism within the case A, a sum indicator ring or disc C, a drive means D having a manually operable knob related thereto and driving the sum indicator C, control means E for the drive means D to determine the direction of rotation thereof, drag means F for the drive D and indicator ring C, a detent stop G for the drive D, a stop H for the indicator ring C, a release means J for allowing return of the indicator ring C to an unactuated zero position, and a return means K for retracting said indicator ring C to the normal unactuated zero position.

The case or frame A of the machine is preferably of a size to be conveniently carried in the palm of a persons hand and maybe a round or circular part of shallow depth and of shell-like construction, in order to house the various parts of the mechanism as hereinafter described. The plate A may be conveniently molded of any suitable material and is characterized by a round outer periphery 19, a substantially tiat bottom 11, a chamber 12 for accommoda'ting the indicator ring C, and a recess 13 for receiving the cover B. The chamber 12 enters the top of the frame A and is formed concentric therewith to rotatably receive the indicator ring C while the recess 13 is formed in the periphery of the frame and centers the cover B in operating position.

The cover B is a circular plate-like part that overlies the top of the frame A and the chamber 12 to extend inwardly from the periphery of the frame to overlie the chamber therein. The cover B acts to retain the indicator ring C in operating position in the chamber within the frame A. The cover B has a fiat horizontally disposed upper face 14 and an inwardly facing shoulder 15 spaced from the outer periphery thereof. The face 14 encompassesvthe structure and is a continuous face calibrated in equally spaced markings 16. The markings shown each represent a cent, there being one hundred markings around the cover B. The shoulder 15 is concentric with the vertical axis of the frame A and coopcrates with a drive knob and pointer as hereinafter described.

The Sum indicator ring C is essentially a disc-shaped at circular part round in configuration and carried in the frame A concentric with the vertical axis thereof. The ring C is rotatably carried in the chamber 12 having a flat bottom face 17 engaged with the bottom 18 of the chamber 12 and having an outer wall 19 engaged with the outer wall 20 of the chamber 12. The cover B has a iat inner face 21 engaged with the at top 22 of the ring C to retain the ring C in operating position. The indicator ring C is rotatably carried in the chamber 12, and in accordance with the invention, the top 22 of the ring is calibrated in equally spaced markings 23. The markings 23 each represent a dollar, there being any suitable number of markings around the periphery of the 3 ring C. For example, there may be thirty markings repref senting a total of thirty dollars. As clearly illustrated in Eig. l of the drawings, an opening or window W is made through the cover B -in order to view the markings Z3, there being a point lit-tl indicating the position of the mark-ings.

rlfhe drive means D is provided to operate and rotate the sum indicator ring C nelative to the frame A and is preferably a gear rive. As shown in the drawings, when there are one hundred markings 16 on the cover B and thirty markings 23 on the indicator ring C, the drive or gear ratio of the means D will be thirty to one to the end that one revolution of the means D will advance the plate C one mark 23 or one dollar at a time.

As shown, the drive means D involves generally, a drive gear 25, a driven gear 26, and an intermediate or transfer gear 33. The size ratio between the gears 25 and 26 is thirty to one in order to gain the desired speed reduction, and the gear 33 operates or idles therebetween to transfer motion from the gear 25 to the gear 26. The drive means D further includes a drive knob 27 and a pointer 23' and in accordance with the invention, the knob 27 and gear 25 operate on the central vertical axis of the frame A, the gear 25 having driving connection with the transfer gear 33.

As shown, the cover B is provided with a central bearing opening 29 that receives a bearing boss that depends" from the knob 27, there being a retainer plate 30 engaged with the inner face 21 of the cover B to the end that the knob 27 is rotatably held in operating position on the cover B to project upwardly therefrom. The pointer 28 may be integral with the knob 27 and projects radially from the knob to terminate at a point within the shoulder 15 in order to indicate the position of the knob 27 relative to the markings 16 above referred to.

The drive gear 25 is carried on parts of the release means I hereinafter described. The driven gear 26 is in the form of an internal ring gear formed integrally with the ring C and projecting fro-rn the bottom 17 thereof to occupy a channel shaped extension of the chamber 12. The transfer gear 33 is rotatably carried in spaced bearings in the frame A and cover B on an axis Voffset from the central vertical axis of the frame A. It will be apparent from the foregoing that when the knob 27 is rotated, the gear 25 operates the gear 26 through the transfer gear 33 in order to rotate the sum indicator ring C.

The control meansy E is provided to determine the di rection of rotation imparted to the drive means D by means of the knob 27, That is', the knob 27 may be made effective to advance the sum indicator ring C or may be made to retract the sum indicator ring @depending upon the setting of they control means E by manipulation of the person using the machine. The control means is preferably a reversible ratchet type means incorporated in 'the knob 27 and involves generally, a cap 35, a rever; sible driver 36, a shifter 37 for the driver 36, anda controller 33 for the shifter 37. The knob 2 7 is preferably around element of substantial diameter and is rotatably carried by the cover B, as above described. In practice, the knob 27 is a chambere-d element, the cap 35 being a shell-like part that is carried on a base part 39. The base part. 39 is a round part that rotatably carries the capr 35 by means of an annular upstanding rirn 40. The rim` il is undercut, as shown, to receive a lip 41 on the Cell?, 35 that? retains `the cap operating position lon the base 39;. The periphery of the` vcap may be split, as sho-wn, at intervals in order for the cap 35 to be snapped into place on the oase 391. The cap 35 is charfacterized by a cylindrical inner wall 42 provided with a continuous series of teeth, 'or the like, 43 to be engaged by the'drive/r 36,.V

The driver 36 is a rever-sible driver carried byione p art of, the knob 2 7 and adapted to have driving engager ment with the other part thereof. The driver 36 is, in the nature of t a rocker in the form of an elongatebar with geen; 43,. farms@ 111 the appetite ends. thereof.. The drier arrasar 4 36 is pivotally carried on the base 39 by a pin 44 on avertical axis offset from the longitudinal axis of the bar that forms the driver. As clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, the driver 36 is positioned to operate the base 39 in a clockwise direction or it may be shifted to a reverse position as indicated by the arrow in order to operate the base 39 in a counter-clockwise direction. It will be apparent that the teeth 43 at the ends of the bar of the driver 36 engage with the series of teeth 43 in the Wall 42 of the cap 35.

The shifter 37 for rocking the driver 36 is positioned adjacent the driver at the side of the bar opposite the pin 44 and is a rotatable element having keyed engagement with the controller 38 and is operationally connected with the driver 36. The shifter 37 is a rotatable part round in plan configuration and is carried in a like socket 45 in the base 39. An elongate keylike boss 145 projects upwardly from the shifter 37 to extend diametrically thereof intersecting the pivotal axis of the shifter. The shifter 37 is operatively connected with the driver 36 through a spring biased pusher 46 that is engaged in a notch 47 in the side of the driver. It will be apparent, from Fig. 5 of the drawings, how the driver 36 is yieldingly operated from one position to the other by action of the shifter 37. The controller 3S may be any manually engageable part and is preferably a simple disc-shaped part having a manually engageable bar d?, there being a suitable intermediate member 48 between the controller 3S and shifter 37 after the teaching of the Rueb Patent No. 1,981,526, to operatively connect them.

The drag means F is provided to hold or retain the sum indicator ring C- positioned after it is moved or rotated by the drivemeans D. The means F may vary as circumstances require and is shown in the form of severalk spring biased units Sil. Each unit 5t! may involve a spring biased brake pad 5l engaged with any suitable part of the drive means D or with the ring C as desired. As shown, the pad 51 is engaged with the base 39 of the knob 27, the spring 52 ofthe unit being carried in a socket 53 in the frame A. The pad 51 projects through an opening in the cover B to engage the lower side orfapce of the base 39. It will be apparent that the drag means F restricts movement of the sum indicator ring C and permits the control E to be ratcheted without shifting of the plate C.

The detent stop G, as illustrated in Figs. l and 6 ofthe drawings', is providedto establish a zero or beginning point for operation ofthe knob 27 in order to either add or subtract with the machine that I have provided. In accordance with the invention, a pointer 55 projects radially from the cap 35 of the knob 2'7 to cooperate with theA markings 16 above described. In order to add or subtract, the( pointer 55 is brought to the zero marking 16 (fsee Fig. l) and is then advanced to the gure or marking to be added or subtracted after which the pointer is brought back` to the zero marking. The pointerl 28 will indicate the sum or" repeated operations at the markings 16.

The detent stop G provides means to establish a positive abutment for the zero markingl or. position on the cover. B preventing. counter-clockwise rotation of the pointer 55,` beyond that marking while i t allows for contipped clockwise, rotation thereof. The detent Stop G. may vary widely in form and construction and is preferably a Simple spring element S6 anchored in the cover B on frame A, as the c ase may be, at 57. The spring` ele,- ment 561112,15, a shouldery 58 facing in a clockwisedirection in order to prevent movement of the pointer, as above dearlibedr and has an, inclined face 59 that allows for c011- tinued rotation ofy they pointer 55 in a clockwise direction of,` rotation. j A

The stop for thev sum indicatorring C, prefenablyinvolvesa simple stop pin 60 carried bythe ring C and engageable withv a stop 61 carried' by the. carriage 65 hereinane: described. As. shown. in Fig` a of4k the drawings the pin 60 depends from the ring C and is engageable v with the stop 61 that projects up from the carriage 65 thereby limiting rotation of the ring C. In practice, an annular channel 62 is provided in the frame A to accommodate movement of the pin 60. The stop 61 is positioned to stop the ring C in an una'ctuated or zero position where the zero marking 23 registers with the point 100 and is visible through the window W in the cover B.

The release means J that I have provided is shown in Figs. 4, 7, 8, and of the drawings and acts to disconnect the drive means D from -the control means E so that the plate C is returned to the zero position by the return means K as determined by the stop means H. The release means I is preferably in the form of a clutch mechanism adapted to shift the gear 25 for engagement and disengagement with the intermediate gear 33. As shown, the means J involves generally, a shiftable carriage 65 that rotatably supports the gear 25 and carries the stop 61 above referred to, a spring biased positioning means 66 for the carriage 65, and a release lever 67 for operating the carriage 65 to engage and disengage the gear 25 and gear 33.

The carriage 65 is an elongate part that has spaced upper and lower bearings 68 and 69 at the inner end portion thereof to carry the gear 25 therebetween. The opposite -or ou-ter end portion of the carriage 65 forms the stop 61. The carriage extends radially of the frame A, the gear 25 being normally carried at the central axis of the mechanism and the stop 61 being shiftable outwardly to engage the pin 60 above referred to. The carriage 65 is shiftably carried in the frame A by suitable guides, etc., to shift between a normal inward position and an outward releasing position.

The positioning means 66 is provided to yieldingly urge the carriage 65 to the inward or outward positions as clearly illustrated in Figs. 7 and 10 of the drawings, respectively. As shown, a pair of ears 70 are bent down from the carriage 65 to form a clevis that passes an elongate leaf spring 71. The spring 71 has shouldered ends and is engaged in anchor posts 72 spaced somewhat closer together than the spacing of the shoulders on the spring 71 to the end that the spring is compressed longitudinally and is deflected laterally either inwardly or outwardly, as clearly illustrated. The spring 71 extends transversely of the carriage 65 and is exible, and, in effect, snaps the carriage 65 into the inward or outward positions shown.

The release lever 67 may be employed or the carriage 65 may be manipulated directly. As shown, the release lever 67 is employed and is pivoted at its inner end 74 and includes a coupling pin 75 that operatively engages the carriage 65 through an opening therein. The outer end of the lever 67 has a handle 76 that depends therefrom through a slotted opening in the frame A to be engageable for manipulation at the exterior of the frame.

The upper and lower ends of the gear 25 are polygonal or attened at 77 and 78 and are shiftably carried in the retainer plate 30 and in a lower bearing plate 90. The plates 30 and 90 are provided with elongate guideways 91 and 92, respectively, that radiate from the central axis of the structure. As shown, the flattened portions 77 and 7S of the gear 25 are aligned rotatably in which case the guideways 91 and 92 are aligned. In accordance with the invention, the guideway 91 in the plate 30 is related or aligned with the zero marking 16 so that when the pointer 28 is at the zero marking 16, the guideways 91 and 92 are longitudinally aligned with the elongate carriage 65. Therefore, when the pointer 28 is returned to the unactuated zero position, the gear 25 and carriage 65 are shiftable laterally or radially to the end that the gear 25 is released from the gear 33 by operation of the handle 76.

The return means K that I have provided is illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings and acts to rotate the ring C back to the normal zero or unactuated position. The return means K is preferably in the form of an elongate element formed into a convolute spring and anchored to the frame A at 81. The spring 80 is wrapped around the central axis of the gear 33 with the active end thereof secured to the gear at 82. It will be apparent that when the sum indicator ring C is released by the means J, the spring 80 of the means K will operate to return or retract the ring to the zero marking 16. Further, it is to be observed that when the release means I is operated, the stop 61 is shifted laterally and radially outward to intercept the pin 60. The pin 60 and stop 61 are so related that the ring C is stopped in the said zero position.

In addition to the foregoing, a detent button 101 projects from the top of the cover B inward of the shoulder 19, there being an indentation in the underside of the pointer 28 that engages the button to hold the pointer at the zero mark 16. Flexibility of the parts permits movement of the pointer from this position when desired.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that a compact easily operated adding machine is provided which is convenient to operate and which accurately compiles and accumulates figures to the end that the total sum is readily observed at any time. The pointer 55 is operated by manipulation of the knob 27 while the pointer 28 and ring markings 23 compile the sum of the figures as they accumulate. It is also to be observed that it is a simple matter to reset the machine by simply operating the release means provided whereby the mechanism returns to the zero position or beginning point ready to begin another operation.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. An adding machine of the character described including, a frame with a recess therein, a sum indicating plate rotatably carried in the recess, a cover enclosing the recess and retaining the plate in operating position, drive means rotating the plate and including a drive gear driven by a control knob and a driven gear on the plate, drag means engageable with the plate, and a reversible ratchet control for the drive means determining the direction of rotation of the plate.

2. An adding machine of the character described including, a frame with a recess therein, a sum indicating plate rotatably carried in the recess, a cover enclosing the recess and retaining the plate in operating position, drive means rotating the plate and including a drive gear driven by a control knob and a driven gear on the plate, drag means engageable with the plate, a reversible ratchet control for the drive means determining the direction of rotation of the plate, and a detent stop for the control knob to position tne knob at the unactuated zero position.

3. An adding machine of the character described including, a frame with a recess therein, a sum indicating plate rotatably carried in the recess, a cover enclosing the recess and retaining the plate in operating position, drive means rotating the plate and including a drive gear driven by a control knob and a driven gear on the plate, drag means engageable with the plate, a reversible ratchet control for the drive means determining the direction of rotation of the plate, and a detent stop for the control knob to position the knob at an unactuated position and to prevent rotation in one direction.

4. An adding machine of the character described including, a frame, an indicating plate rotatably carried by the frame, drive means for rotating the plate and including a drive gear driven by a control knob and a driven gear on the plate, a control means governing action of the drive means, a release means for drive means and including a shifta'ble carriage vrotatably supperting the drive gesifar engagement and disengagement, and a return maan lrainning .the plate .to an @actuated rQSitiOIl.-

5, An adding machine of the character described inciuding, a frame, an indicating plate rotatably carried by the trarne, drive means for rotating the plate and including ,a drive gear driven by a control knob at the exterior of the frame, a driven gear on the plate, and an intermediate gear between the drive and driven gears, a control means governing action of the drive means, a release means for drive means and including a shiftable carriage rotatably supporting the drive gears for engagement and disengagement with the intermediate gear, and a return means returning the plate to an unactuated` position.

6. An adding machine of 4the character described including, a frame, an indicating plate rotatably carried by the frame, drive means for rotating the plate, a control means governing action of the drive means, a release means for disconnecting the control 'fram the plate, and a return'means for returningthe Vplate to an unactuated position, and a reversible ratchet governing the drive means and determining the direction of rotation of the plate.

7. An adding machine of the character described including, a frame with a recess therein, a sum indicating platerotatably carried in the recess, a cover enclosing the recess Vand retaining the plate in operating position, drive means rotating the plate and including a drive gear driven by a control 'knob and a driven' gear on the plate, and a reversible control means for the drive means determining the direction of rotation o f the plate, a release means. for disconnecting the control from the plate, and a return means for returning the plate to an unactuated position.

8. A n adding machine o f the character described including, a frame with a recess therein,v a sum indicating plate rotatably carried in the recess, a cover enclosing the plate in operating position, drive means rotating the plate and including a drive gear driven by a cont-rolY knob and a driven gear on the plate, drag means engageable with til@ plate, a reversible Aratchet control for the drive means determining the direction of rotation of the plate, arelease means for disconnecting the control from the plate and a return means for returning the plate to an unactuatedposition.

k9. 'An adding machine of the character described including, a frame with a recess therein, a sum indicating plate rotatably carried inthe recess, a cover enclosing Ithe recess and retaining the plate in operating position, drive means rotating the plate and including a drive gear driven by a control knob and a driven gear on the plate, drag means lengagc-:able with the plate, a reversible ratchet con'- trol for the drive means determining the direction of rotation of the plate, la release meansfor disconnecting the control from'the plate, and a return means including a spring coupled to the `drive means for returnig h'pl'ate to an unactuated position. Y

10. An adding machine of the character described including, a frame with a recess therein, a s um indicating plate rotatably carried in the recess, a cover enclosing the plate in operating position, drive means rotating the plate and including a drive gear -driven by a control knob and a driven gear on the plate, drag means engageable with the plate, a reversible ratchet control for the drive means determining the direction of rotation of the plate, a re. lease means for the drive means and including a shiftable carriage rotatably supporting the drive gear for engagement and disengagement, and a return means returning the plate to an unactuated position. i

References Cited inthe le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 746,352 

